This is Where McLarens Come From

If you had a wall as a kid, the chances are strong that a section of it was covered with a gorgeous photo of a McLaren. The company that over the years has been responsible for Ayrton Senna's world championships, the all-conquering McLaren F1, the gorgeous Mercedes-McLaren SLR, and more recently, the 650S and insane P1, is actually based at a compound that's just as brilliant as its cars.

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Located in Woking, southwest of London, the McLaren Technology Centre and the McLaren Production Centre sit right next to each other on a patch of land that looks like it's equal parts golf course and luxury resort.

Amazingly, the building is as advanced as the cars they're putting out. The Technology Centre might look stylish with the Yin Yang shape, but that lake is actually comprised of rainwater channeled in from the roof, and it serves the purpose of cooling the building.

And heat is absolutely a factor when you've got a world class wind tunnel running flat out to aid in the design of not only the finest road cars, but McLaren's Formula One team as well. It takes a lot of energy to compete toe-to-toe with Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault.

Remember the first time you used a can of spray paint, and it didn't turn out at all like you'd intended? Think about the pressure this guy's under to get everything perfect, every single time he goes to work.